Who holds you accountable for accomplishing what you need to accomplish each day?

If you said, “I do!”, then you’re probably not working as efficiently or effectively as you could be.

One of my roles as a professional business coach is to hold people accountable.  I make sure they’re staying on the right track so they can achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves. 

How is this accountability accomplished?  Check it out:

1.  From the first business coaching session, I learn what makes the person “tick”, what energizes and motivates him/her.  Then, I tailor my coaching appropriately.

2.  After we begin working together, I become the person holding them accountable.  After all, they know that they’ll be talking with me on a regular basis and they want to make sure they have something to tell me!

3.  When clients don’t make their goals, I don’t berate or judge (hey, I’m not Jillian Michaels here!)  I simply help them uncover their stumbling blocks and reset their expectations.

In the end, the client is held accountable because a third party is interested in what he or she is doing.

If you feel that you need a boost of accountability (and let’s face it — we all do!), give me a call and we’ll talk about business coaching for you.  There’s no obligation.  Really.  You have nothing to lose and a whole lot of accountability to gain!

Many people don’t immediately think about hiring a business coach to help them; after all, shouldn’t all business be handled by using one’s “common sense”? 

Well, not really.

Sometimes, “common sense” isn’t so common.  (Those of you who have been in the workforce for more than two seconds know exactly what I mean!)

So how do you know when it’s time to pick up the phone and reach out to a business coach?  Below are 5 indicators that the time is ripe:

1.  Your Business is Booming… but You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Clearly, you’re doing a lot right, but you need an objective voice to help you prioritize your goals and keep you from burning the candle at both ends (not to mention the center!) 

2.  You Are Starting Your Own Business

Entrepreneurs can always use a helping hand, especially at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys.  Business coaches can provide much-needed assistance in practically and efficiently moving forward.

3.  You Have Lost Your Inspiration

Have you “lost that lovin’ feelin’” when it comes to your work?  A business coach can help you rediscover the joys of a fulfilling career!

4.  You’ve Had a Number of Life Stressors in a Short Amount of Time

Gone through a divorce?  Had a child?  Experiencing “empty nest” syndrome?  These are all stressors that can make daily working very, very difficult.  Business coaches who have the hands-on training to deal with situations like yours can direct you to a better place mentally… and professionally.

5.  You’re Not Living Up to Your Potential

Be honest.  Are you really living up to your potential?  Are you using your innate gifts and talents every single day?  If not, you could benefit by the accountability working with a business coach can provide!

If any of the above connected with you, I urge you to contact me at julie(at)jadcc(dot)com.  The initial consultation is FREE (no strings attached).  You have nothing to lose and a whole lifetime of profitability and personal satisfaction to gain!

Take one minute and think of all the things you said you were going to do last week but never got around to handling. 

The obvious question is:  Why didn’t those items get accomplished?

My guess is that you’ll probably have one of three answers:

• - I didn’t have time.
• - I didn’t remember to do it.
• - I don’t have an excuse.

Those are all perfectly-understandable and honest responses, of course.  But they all lead back to one place — accountability.  (Or, more specifically, a lack thereof.)

Chances are good that the reason you’re not getting around to finishing tasks is because you don’t have to.  No one is pressuring you, so the feeling of immediacy and importance just isn’t there.  As a result, some of your “to do” tasks keep getting pushed farther and farther down your list.

It’s time to change the way you’ve been approaching your duties.  Otherwise, you’ll just keep missing opportunity after opportunity. 

You can do this by instituting some method(s) of accountability into the way you approach your work.

Below are 5 effective ways to ensure that your work gets done on time, every time.

1.  Start using automatic “alerts” on your computer.  Most calendar programs can be set up to send you reminders.  These might seem “nagging”, but they’ll keep you on track.

2.  Send yourself emails as reminders.  Want to make sure you remember to do something the next day?  Send yourself an email and don’t delete that email until the task is on its way to being finished.

3.  Work with a business coach.  For short-term and long-term goals, a business coach can provide you with the accountability you need to keep you focused and on track.

4.    Set up regular meetings with a colleague, peer or mentor.  Pick a day of the week or month to sit down with someone and chat about your “to do” list.  Instruct him or her to be your “accountability accountant”.

5.  Put into place a system of rewards.  There’s nothing wrong with rewarding yourself now and then for staying the course.  Love Starbucks?  Only allow yourself to order that latte if the previous day’s work was completed.

Your turn — do you have any ways that you hold yourself accountable?

**********

From the time we’re kids, we quickly learn that if we aren’t held accountable for certain responsibilities, we can slack off more and more.  For instance, if a youngster is expected to take out the garbage but no one ever checks up on her to make sure she’s doing it, that youngster will probably start “cutting corners” here and there.  The end result?  The job isn’t done (or is only half-finished).

Accountability is just as important for adults, especially those who want to run their own businesses.  Though there are those rare people who can hold themselves accountable, most individuals will stop performing at their top levels if they don’t have accountability. 

This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about my Marketing Made Easy for Small Businesses coaching program which is launching later next week.  While the program’s main focus is to help entrepreneurs and business owners form lasting marketing strategies, a side effect of taking the coaching program is its accountability factor.

If you’re the owner of a business or you’re planning to start a business in the new year, I strongly urge you to join me throughout this year-long program.  You’ll be held accountable for your actions, which will practically guarantee that you’ll get more done than you would otherwise.  And in today’s competitive environment, it’s important to take advantage of every single edge you can!

Send me an email at julie(at)jadcc(dot)com today and I’ll register you within 24 hours.  Alternatively, head to this page and register online.

I look forward to helping you ensure that you’re accountable (and profitable) in 2010!

♦   It’s a Thanksgiving Special!   ♦

I’m really getting into the holiday mode, so I’ve decided to offer a Thanksgiving special on my 2010 Marketing Made Easy Coaching Program. The sale is ONLY 3 days long - November 24th, 25th, 27th.

As you’ll notice on my website, the regular price for 2010 Marketing Made Easy program participants is $225 per month.  However, If you sign up during the sale dates mentioned above (11/24, 11/25 and 11/26/2009), your monthly cost will be instantly reduced to $183 per month - that’s a $500 savings!  (And who can turn down $500 off?)

To give you a little background, the JADCC 2010 Marketing Made Easy for Small Businesses coaching program is designed to:

• Increase Your Sales
• Position You (and/or Your Business) as an Expert
• Give You a Step-by-Step Process to Implement a Consistent, Results-Driven Marketing Program
• Provide You with Guidance and Accountability

Are you ready to get started? 

Click here to secure your virtual seat in this one-of-a-kind 2010 Marketing Made Easy Coaching Program and save $500 in the process!

(This offer will expire at 1:00 p.m. EST on November 27th (Black Friday) and is limited to the first 5 people who register.)

Is it possible to thrive in an uncertain economy?  Absolutely.  But you have to be willing to take some bold steps to make it happen.

To help all entrepreneurs who want to make certain that 2010 is a year to remember (for positive reasons!), I’m launching an exclusive group coaching program for small business owners in January.  My program runs throughout the entire year and addresses everything from marketing to goal setting to public relations. 

Included in the program are group and individual telesessions perfect for your busy lifestyle.  You’ll have the chance for one-on-one interaction as well as opportunities to brainstorm with other eager enpreneurs who want to make 2010 their best year yet! 

I’m accepting individuals into the program now and I invite you to check it out here. 

I really believe that every entrepreneur can shine… all it takes is a little mental “elbow grease”.  Be a part of a dynamic group that’s dedicated to ensuring that success is the only option in 2010.  Join today!

Resolutions Do Not Work!  by Julie Taylor

Is the beginning of a new year somewhat annoying to you?  It is to me.  I know that might sound strange coming from a business coach…after all, I’m the person that motivates people to take action and move their careers and businesses forward but - I do that through goal setting and accountability not resolutions!

Anyway, the past seven days has made me very aware of how many people make resolutions and don’t stick to them.  I am a member of a women’s fitness center that offers fantastic classes and private training.  (I’m really into yoga and am proud to annouce I am officially training for my first 5K.)  Normally, the gym is full but, not too crowded.

The past seven days, my gym has been so crowded that regular attendees (like myself) can barely find a space to exercise!  This is both inspirational and annoying at the same time. 

I’m inspired that these women have taken time out of their busy schedules to make themselves a priority.  At the same time, it’s frustrating to know that I won’t see them at all during the last eleven months of 2009.

It takes 21 days to create a habit - and unfortunately, it’s a fact that most of these women won’t make it to the gym 21 days in a row.

Making a resolution is not enough to change a behavior!  ….more on this topic tomorrow…

Julie Taylor

P.S.  check out www.glewonline.org